Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited

6th Floor Tower 2, NBCC Office Block, East Kidwai Nagar, New Delhi-110023
 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
OFFGRID SOLAR ELECTRIFICATION OF VILLAGES IN
ARUNACHAL PRADESH UNDER REC – DDUGJY SCHEME

Page | 1
Table of Contents
PART A: WORK EXECUTION PART ................................................................................................................ 3
A. SANCTION DETAILS................................................................................................................................ 3
B. EXECUTION DETAILS .............................................................................................................................. 3
C. ADDITIONAL COST OVERRUN IN THE PROJECT ..................................................................................... 5
D. BIDDING PROCESS FOR SELECTION OF DEVELOPER ............................................................................. 7
E. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................................................. 7
F. STANDARDS/GTP/APPROVED DRAWINGS OF THE SYSTEM INSTALLED .............................................10
G. PAYMENT TERMS ................................................................................................................................10
H. INSTALLATION MECHANISM ...............................................................................................................11
I. MONITORING & EVALUATION ............................................................................................................14
J. QUALITY MONITORING MECHANISM .................................................................................................14
PART-B: OPERATIONAL AND MAINTENANCE OF SYSTEMS ......................................................................15
A. OPERATION & MAINTENANCE PRACTICES FOR 5 YEARS’ O&M PERIOD ............................................15
B. CONSUMER GRIEVANCES REDRESSAL MECHANISM TO RESOLVE CONSUMER’S COMPLAINTS
RAISED/ REGISTERED ON PORTAL AND THEIR RECTIFICATION PROCESS ...........................................16
C. WORKING/ FUNCTIONAL STATUS OF SYSTEMS INSTALLED ................................................................17
D. COMPLIANCE STATUS OF RQM DEFECTS OBSERVED ..........................................................................17
E. CHALLENGES AND DIFFICULTIES FACED DURING O&M PERIOD.........................................................18
F. TRAINING & CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM FOR VILLAGERS ...........................................................18
G. IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY, IF ANY: NA ..........................................................................................19
PART C: ARRANGEMENTS MADE POST O&M PERIOD ..............................................................................19
H. O&M PRACTICES ADOPTED TO MAKE THE SYSTEMS FUNCTIONAL BEYOND 5 YEARS PERIOD ..........19

Page | 2
 Executive Summary for Off-grid solar electrification of villages in Arunachal
Pradesh under REC-DDUGJY Scheme

PART A: WORK EXECUTION PART

A Tri-Partite Agreement was signed among REC, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh and SECI on
01.03.2017 for the implementation of "Rural Electrification of 895 nos. off-grid villages in Arunachal
Pradesh by installing 300Wp Solar Power Packs under Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana
(DDUGJY) Scheme".

A. SANCTION DETAILS

REC Ltd. vide letter ref no. REC/CO/DDGI/152 dated 30/12/2016 sanctioned a project to SECI for
implementation of electrification of 895 off grid villages in Arunachal Pradesh under DDUGJY
scheme.

Status of Fund Received

I. Grant Received from RECL @ 85% of project cost as per TPA (Rs in lakhs)
S. No. Instalment No. date of receipt
1 I Instalment (8.5.2017) 2,413.84
2 II and III Instalment (29.03.2019) 979.31
Grant Received (I) / to be received from APDA as per TPA 3,393.15
II Loan / State Contribution @ 15% of project cost 628.00
Total Amount Received (I+II) 4,021.15

B. EXECUTION DETAILS

SECI through competitive bidding had awarded the work for “Rural Electrification of Off-Grid villages
in Arunachal Pradesh under DDUGJY by installing 300Wp Solar Home Power Packs and 40Wp
Solar Street Lights” vide NOA no. SECI/C&P/DDUGJY/SPP/ANP/NOA-I and NOA-II dated
22.03.2017 to the consortium of M/s REC Power Distribution Company Limited (RECPDCL-Lead
Member) and M/s Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL-Technical Member).

The work was awarded with a total scope of installation of 13179 Nos of Solar Power Packs and
4184 Nos of Solar Street lights at a total Project cost of INR 89,40,15,733.24. Amendment of NOA
due to the imposition of GST and change in the scope of work:

As the NOAs were issued in the pre-GST regime & GST got effective from 01.07.2017, M/s
RECPDCL vide letter dated 30.10.2017 submitted the contract price break-up with applicable GST.
The same was agreed by SECI and RECDPCL dated 09/11/2017. Thus, the final project cost with
the impact of GST was INR 88,18,09,767.56. The net reduction in the total cost was Rs.
1,22,05,965.68 due to imposition of GST.

Page | 3
RECPDCL during the execution of the project have intimated that many villages were found already
electrified, partially electrified, de-electrified and uninhabited. Hence, there was a substantial
reduction up to the tune of 50% in actual quantity to be executed against the awarded quantity.

The matter was discussed in the joint meeting on 19.12.2018 wherein REC gave due cognizance to
the change in scope of work. The revised scope of work of 6834 nos. of Solar Power Packs and
1012 nos. of Solar Street Lights was submitted by M/s RECPDCL vide email dated 18.02.2019.
Accordingly, NOA was further amended vide Amendment no. SECI/C&P/
DDUGJY/SPP/ANP/NOA/Amnd-I & SECI/C&P/DDUGJY/SPP/ANP/NO A-II /Amnd I dated
04.04.2019 with a revised scope of 6834 no. of Solar Power Packs and 1012 no. of Solar Street
Lights & the total project cost again got amended to INR 41,89,07,258.96.

The sanctioned and awarded project details are tabulated below:

Quantity (nos)
Details Standalone Solar Solar Amount in Rs.
Power Packs Street light
Sanctioned Amount 13179 4184 1,11,29,00,000
Awarded Project Cost 13179 4184 89,40,15,733
Awarded Project Cost (Post GST) 13179 4184 881809768
Amended Project Cost 6834 1012 41,89,07,259

As per the project closure report submitted by M/s RECPDCL on 31.03.2020 the final number of
solar power packs is 6674 and number of solar street lights is 955. Thus, the revised project cost is
worked out to be as follows:

Quantity (nos)
Amount in
Details Standalone Solar
Solar Street light Rs.
Power Packs
Revised Project Cost 6674 955 40,79,96,057
District wise installation details is given below

 Summary of Solar Standalone Systems installed under the project:

S. No. District No. of No. of Solar Standalone
villages Systems installed
1 Anjaw 20 169
2 Changlang 13 920
3 Dibang Valley 24 93
4 East Kameng 97 1399
5 East Siang 4 41

Page | 4
 6 Kurung Kumey 40 482
7 Kra Daddi 88 1005
8 Lohit 1 1
9 Lower Dibang Valley 16 80
10 Lower Subansiri 84 344
11 Papumpare 19 198
12 Tawang 11 68
13 Tirap 2 33
14 Upper Siang 7 113
15 Upper Subansiri 79 1221
16 West Kameng 4 68
17 West Siang 34 439
Total 543 6674

 Summary of Solar Street Lights installed under the project:

No. of Solar Street Lights
S. No. District No. of villages
installed
1 Anjaw 20 60
2 Dibang Valley 7 30
3 East Kameng 11 100
5 East Siang 2 17
6 Kra Daddi 20 200
6 Kurung Kumey 27 180
7 Lower Dibang Valley 5 20
8 Lower Subansiri 29 70
9 Papumpare 2 25
10 Upper Siang 6 48
11 West Siang 18 205
Total 147 955

C. ADDITIONAL COST OVERRUN IN THE PROJECT

M/s RECPDCL vide letter dated 04.06.2021 submitted a request letter to SECI to approve its
additional cost incurred during the project execution amounting to INR 15.22 Crores citing the
following major reasons for the additional expenditures in the project:

 Requirement of extensive survey of villages for finalization of the actual quantity.

Page | 5
  Extreme quantity variations.

 Lack of clarity on actual number of villages.

 Delay in critical activities of the contract.

 Stringent timeline of the project.

 Non-clarity about quantity of Solar Street Lights.

SECI reviewed the request of RECPDCL for the additional cost incurred. In line with the Clause no.
17, Part II (GCC) of the tender documents:

“Prices payable to the supplier as stated in the contract shall be firm during the performance of the
contract.”

Further, as per the Appendix to NOA Clause no. 3, regarding the Contract Price,

“The price shall remain FIRM throughout the performance of the contract”.

Accordingly, SECI has responded vide letter no. SECI/PSD/201(REC-AP)/II/2021 dated 15.06.2021
that SECI will not be able to allow any escalation / variation in the contract price.

However, RECPDCL has submitted their representation again vide its letter no.
RECPDCL/ANP/DDG/2021-22/872 dated 30.07.2021 stating that

“The above quoted provisions of NIT and NOA would have been admissible only if the contract had
been followed in letter & spirit. As the contracts has already been varied beyond its terms &
conditions, hence such provisions regarding FIRM price no longer remain applicable under this
contract.”

To further understand the request of RECPDCL, SECI convened a meeting between REC,
RECPDCL and SECI on 03/08/2021 in online mode. The matter was discussed in the meeting and
it was agreed that SECI may examine the request of RECPDCL for additional cost in terms of the
factors highlighted above, for which SECI may seek necessary documents from RECPDCL and
accordingly, if it seems fit, the closure proposal with final cost may be submitted to REC Ltd. for
review and putting it up in the Monitoring Committee Meeting of DDUGJY scheme.

Accordingly, to further examine the case, a cross functional internal Committee was constituted with
the approval of Competent Authority of SECI.

SECI has examined the various activities, execution & proceedings of the entire project in detail and
submitted its observation to RECL on 04/02/2022 for their review and forward submission to the
Monitoring Committee.

Page | 6
D. BIDDING PROCESS FOR SELECTION OF DEVELOPER

A domestic e-tender was invited by SECI vide NIT no. SECI/C&P/DDUGJY/SPP /ANP/112016 date
29/11/2016 for the selection of an EPC contractor. The general, technical & financial eligibility criteria
was decided as per the CVC guidelines .

The Pre-Bid conference was held on 14/12/2016 and the last date for the submission of bids was
29/02/2016. The bidding process was extended- multiple times, final date of bid submission was
15/02/2017. The project was awarded to to the consortium of M/s REC Power Distribution Company
Limited (RECPDCL-Lead Member) and M/s Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL-
Technical Member) vide SECI NOAs dated 22/03/2017.

E. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

The technical specifications of the Solar Home Lightings systems and Solar street lights were
finalised by SECI in consultation with MNRE and RECL. A Solar Home System (SHS) provides a
comfortable level of illumination in one or more rooms of a house. The SHS consists of a PV module,
control electronics, battery, inter-connecting cables and an inverter. There are five numbers of
luminaires based on UV free White Light Emitting Diode (W-LED) to provide lighting. The Systems
could be used to run a small DC fan and / or a DC television along with the W-LED Lamps. Provision
for Mobile Phone Charging is provided. The System consists of:
1) SPV Modules (with Module Mounting Structure): 300 Wp
2) Battery: 24 Volts, 75 AH @C/10, Tubular plate maintenance free battery
3) Solar Charge Controller: 24 V, 10 A with MPPT to appropriately charge and protect the
battery against overcharge and deep discharge suitable for charging above battery Bank.
4) Solar Inverter: 24V, 300VA, Pure Sine wave (THD<5%), Output Single phase 230Vac sine
wave.
5) Load:
a) 5 Nos. of 24V D.C. operated White Light Emitting Diode (W-LED) Luminaire (6.0
Watts each) for 5 6 Hrs. / day
b) One 24 V D.C. Fan (20Watts) for 5-6 Hrs. / day
c) Power for a TV set (max. 25 watts), to be purchased separately by beneficiary
(Optional) for 5-6 hrs. / day of running
d) Provision for Mobile Phone Charging
TECHNICAL DETAILS
PV MODULE (S)
6) Indigenously manufactured PV modules were used.
7) The PV modules were made up of crystalline silicon solar cells and has a certificate of
testing conforming to IEC 61215 Edition II / BIS 14286, IEC 61730-I and IEC 61730-II from
an NABL or IECQ accredited Laboratory.

Page | 7
 8) The module efficiency was more than 14%.
9) The terminal box on the module has a provision of opening, for replacing the cable.
10) The module contained the following details laminated inside the module:
a) Name of the Manufacturer or Distinctive Logo.
b) Model Number
c) Serial Number
d) Year of manufacture
e) RF tag containing information (a) to (d) above
11) A distinctive serial number starting with NSM were engraved on the frame of the module
or screen printed on the tedlar sheet of the module.

INDICATIVE LOAD
1) 5 Nos. of White Light Emitting Diode (W-LED) Luminaire (max. 6.0 Watts each)
2) 1 No. TV set (max 25 Watt) or Laptop or Mobile Charger at a time (AC) (TV or laptop was
not a part of supply)
3) DC USB port for operating radio and mobile charging.
4) DC outlet socket for operating DC fan (24 V, 20 Watt).
5) DC OUTPUT SOCKET FOR TV (MAX. 25W)

BATTERY
1) The batteries were Tubular Positive plate maintenance free lead acid type.
2) 75% of the rated capacity of the batteries were between fully charged & load cut-off
conditions.
3) Batteries were conforming to the latest BIS/ International Standards.

LIGHT SOURCE
1) The light sources were with DC 6.0 Watts of white LED and Light Output was Minimum 30
Lux when measured at the periphery of 2.5-meter diameter from a height of 2.5 meter.
2) At any point within the area of 2.5mtr diameter periphery the light level were less than
three times of the periphery value.
3) The illumination was uniform, glaze free and soothing to the eyes. There were no dark
bands or abrupt variations in the light.
4) The color temperature of W-LEDs used in the system were in the range of 5500K–6500K.
5) LEDs were ultraviolet free light.
6) The light output from the W-LED light source were constant throughout the duty cycle.
7) The lamps were housed in an assembly suitable for indoor use with proper heat dissipating
enclosures.

Page | 8
 8) Necessary lengths of wires / cables, switches and fuses were provided.
ELECTRONICS
1) Maximum Power Point Tracker (MPPT) were provided in the System.
2) Overall total Efficiency of the Electronics were Minimum 85%
3) Electronics have temperature compensation for proper charging of the battery throughout
the year.
4) Inverter were with “THD” less than 5% and Efficiency more than 90 %.
5) Necessary lengths of wires / cables, switches and fuses were provided.
6) The system has separate ports for connecting each load along with a charging port for
mobile and laptop.
7) The idle current i.e. when there is no load (& inverter is switched OFF, in case of A.C.
Systems) and no display, it is less than 150 mA.
8) The PCB containing the electronics is capable of solder free installation and replacement.
9) Necessary lengths of wires/cables switches suitable for DC use and fuses is provided.
10) Inverters have current limiting facility for the load exceeding 100Watts
ELECTRONIC PROTECTIONS
1) Adequate protection is incorporated under “No Load” condition.
2) The system have protection against battery overcharge and deep discharge condition.
3) Load reconnect after low battery disconnect is provided at 80% of the battery capacity
status.
4) Adequate protection is provided against battery reverse polarity.
5) Fuses were provided to protect against short circuit conditions.
6) Protection for reverse flow of current through the PV module(s) is provided.
MECHANICAL COMPONENTS
1) Corrosion-resistant frame structures (hot dipped galvanized/anodized aluminium) were
provided to hold the SPV module.
2) The frame structures were available with provision to adjust its angle of inclination to the
horizontal, so that it can be installed at the specified tilt angle.
3) Light source can be hung from the ceiling in a stable manner.
4) A vented plastic/metallic box with acid proof corrosion resistant paint for housing the
storage battery indoors is provided.
5) The houses were provided with pole (40 NB – Class B – Galvanized) mounted structures.
INDICATORS
1) The system has two indicators, green and red.
2) The green indicator indicates the charging under progress and glow only when the
charging is taking place. It stops to glow when the battery is fully charged.
3) Red indicator indicates the battery “Load Cut Off” condition

Page | 9
QUALITY AND WARRANTY
1) The Solar Home System including Battery, Inverter, DC Luminaire and DC fan are
warranted for a period of five years from the date of installation.
2) The PV module(s) is warranted for a minimum period of 25 years from the date of
installation. PV modules used in Solar Home Lighting System must be warranted for their
output peak watt capacity, which is not less than 90% at the end of Ten (10) years and
80% at the end of Twenty-five (25) years.
3) The Warranty Card is also supplied with the system which contain details of the system.
The manufacturers also provided additional information about the system and conditions
of warranty as necessary.

F. STANDARDS/GTP/APPROVED DRAWINGS OF THE SYSTEM INSTALLED

M/s RECPDCL submitted the GTP of various components like PV module, inverter, Battery, Street
light luminaire, civil design drawings of SPP and SSL, LED lights, of the solar power packs and solar
street lights for the approval of PIA. SECI had reviewed and approved the submitted GTPs.

Post approval, the pre-despatch inspection was carried out by SECI on site. The PDI was conducted
based on the SECI’s own inspection protocol and as per the OEMs quality protocols. The PDI was
conducted on lot basis. Accordingly based on the PDI, material despatch delivery clearance (MDCC)
was issued by SECI. Based on MDCC, the material was despatched by RECPDCL to warehouse at
Itanagar, where the RECPDCL and SECI representative had checked the material and issued
material receipt note (MRN).

G. PAYMENT TERMS

All the payments to the contractor are being made by SECI as per the payment terms stipulated in
the NOAs dated 22.03.2017 issued by SECI. The payment terms are given hereunder:

1) Sixty percent (60%) payments shall be paid against supply, receipt, and acceptance of
materials at the site on submission of documents (except Advance Bank Guarantee) indicated
under clause i)(a), Contractor's detailed invoice & packing list identifying contents of each
shipment, evidence of dispatch (GR/LR copy), Copies of Certificates to the effect of payments
of State/ Central taxes, duties, levies, etc, Certified copy of Insurance policy/ Insurance
Certificate, Manufacturer's/ Contractor's guarantee certificate of Quality, submission of the
certificate by SECI's authorized representative that the item(s) have been received and MDCC
(Materia! Dispatch Clearance Certificate) issued by SEC!'s authorized representative in
original.
2) Thirty percent (30%) payments shall be paid against successful erection, testing, and
commissioning of materials at site and functional operation of the service center and upon
submission of Additional Performance Bank Guarantee of 10% of entire contract value with a

Page | 10
 validity period of 05 (Five) years from the date of final commissioning. The Contractor needed
to submit the installation certificate duly certified by the authorized representative of SECI and
owner of the respective house along with a self-attested Xerox copy of KYC document
(Aadhaar Card/ Voter ID Card/ PAN Card/ Driving License/ Ration Card/ ID card issued by the
state or central Govt. authority).
3) Final Ten percent (10%) payments shall be paid after 06 months from the date of final
commissioning.

The contract had also a provision of Interest bearing adjustable initial advance (OPTIONAL) of 15%
which will be released in 02 different phases. The annual interest rate was calculated based on SBI
Base Rate as applicable from time to time. However, RECPDCL had not availed the advance.

All payments are being released from SECI Head Office, New Delhi upon submission of Original
Documents as mentioned against each Payment Milestones, Joint Commissioning and Handing
Over Certificate duly certified by the authorized representative of SECI and beneficiary/ User. All the
payments have been released to the Contractor directly.

However due to the lack of funds (as the state share of Rs. 6.28 Cr has not been released to SECI
so far), the balance due payment of Rs. 8.85 Cr is yet to be released by SECI.

H. INSTALLATION MECHANISM

Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) is the Project Implementing Agency (PIA) for the
project (as per TPA). Consortium of RECPDCL and Tata Power DDL is the Project Executing
Agency. RECPDCL further appointed following agencies through e-tendering process for execution
of the project:

 Consortium of M/s Millennium Synergy Pvt. Ltd. & M/s R.K. Tech (India) Pvt. Ltd.

 Consortium of M/s PEC Ltd. & M/s Lord’s Mark Industries Pvt. Ltd.

 Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Ltd.

 Arunachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency (APEDA), Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh;

appointed on nomination basis as per decision taken in the high level review meeting held
on 21.02.2018 in Itanagar under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Power Minister, Govt. of India
and Hon’ble Chief Minister, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh)

The design, engineering, manufacture, supply, testing and performance of the equipment were in
accordance with latest appropriate IEC/Indian Standards. The GTP and type test reports of materials
procured under the project were duly verified and approved by SECI. Pre-dispatch inspections were
carried out for each lot of materials by representatives of SECI, RECPDCL and Tata Power DDL.
Material stores were opened in central locations (District Headquarters) and therefrom, materials
were delivered to respective sites so as to complete the job within stipulated timeline. A procedure

Page | 11
of installation mechanism & operation of the system was prepared by RECPDCL & Tata Power DDL
and shared with the Contractor(s) during execution of the work.

Record of receipt of materials at central store(s) and their installation at site were maintained along
with name of district, block, village, census code and name of beneficiary. During installation of the
systems, beneficiaries were imparted the technical know-how of the equipment installed. A
comprehensive Do’s and Don’ts list was provided to every household during the installation of the
systems.

SECI verified the installed systems at sites based on the installation reports submitted by RECPDCL
from time to time followed by the execution of work/ verification of same by the teams of RECPDCL
& Tata Power DDL checked the quality of work executed. Handing Over-Taking Over (HOTO)
Certificates were signed by the Executing Agency, Beneficiary and Gram Panchayat representative.

CHALLENGES FACED DURING EXECUTION OF THE PROJECT

1. Difficult terrain of Arunachal Pradesh makes transport and communication extremely difficult. In
case of many of the villages, it took even 7-10 days to carry the materials on foot through head
loading covering virgin forests, root bridges, temporary bridges on rivers etc.

2. Also, Arunachal Pradesh, owing to its geological topography, receives quite high rainfall and
flash floods on regular basis. During monsoon season, it receives highest rainfall of the year
and frequent flash floods & landslides are prevalent. Incessant rainfall frequently triggers
landslides and floods in several districts of Arunachal Pradesh throwing normal life out of gear.
Most of the districts have been severely affected from landslides. Teams had to even remain
stranded at several places. Due to monsoon rainfall, Non-perennial Rivers always widen, thus,
it could not be possible to cross these river during monsoon, resulting in reach out to these
villages even more difficult.

Page | 12
3. The situation was aggravated in Februay-2018 when timeline set by Hon’ble prime Minister for
electrifying 100% Villages in the country was approaching fast and about 500 villages were
balance for electrification through off-grid mode. At that point of time, part-materials were
mobilized at sites by Contractor(s) due to non-clarity over actual required quantities. Also, field
execution was not cost effective as scope of work was drastically curtailed. A high-level meeting
was then called on 21.02.2018 in Itanagar under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Power Minister,
GoI and Hon’ble Chief Minister, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh in presence of representatives of
SECI, REC, RECPDCL, Power Deptt./ APEDA (Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh), PEC and
Millennium. In the said meeting, following was unanimously decided:

All balance Off-Grid villages in the State of Arunachal Pradesh are to be electrified before target
date i.e., 01st May 2018 with coverage of minimum 10% households of each Off-Grid village.
Electrification of balance households are also to be ensured in due course. Further, it is to be
ensured to provide electricity to all households as far as possible in the villages where number
of households are 10 or less and villages having more than 10 households may be declared
electrified by covering 10% household electrification.

Further, it was also decided in the meeting to engage APEDA for electrification of balance Off-
Grid villages and to handover complete material supplied by M/s Millenium Synergy Pvt. Ltd. &
M/s PEC Ltd. to APEDA in order to achieve the target of 100% village electrification before
01.05.2018.

4. The above decisions were taken in the interest of achieving the 100% electrification across the
country within the target date i.e., 01st May 2018 as pronounced by Hon’ble Prime Minister of
India. Based on the decision taken in the meeting held on 21.02.2018, following extra-ordinary
measures were taken for accomplishing the tasks:

(i) APEDA (Arunachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency), State PSU was engaged for
transportation and erection of materials on war-footing. This decision has betrayed existing
agencies (PEC & Millenium) to part away with their contractual responsibilities.

Page | 13
 (ii) Unused material available at various PEC and Millennium stores were reconciled and were
handed over to APEDA for transporting and installation. In this process, balance
requirements of materials were also finalized.

(iii) LT cables & other cable/wiring accessories including PVC pipes were not readily available
in the state of Arunachal Pradesh/Assam. Hence, these materials were procured urgently
from Delhi-NCR by M/s PEC and transported through railways on priority. Special efforts
were undertaken to transport these materials through dedicated parcel van through
Rajdhani Express/Mail Express train to Itanagar.

(iv) REIL, a CPSU, was engaged through tendering for supplying remaining materials required
to complete the project.

(v) Some of the villages of Pipsorang block of Kurung Kumey district were highly inaccessible,
for which materials had to be transported through helicopter. Hence, services of air
transportation agency were taken to transport materials to far off positions.

I. MONITORING & EVALUATION

Manufacturing & supply of materials was closely monitored by SECI in order to meet the timeline of
the project. Upon receipt of materials at central store(s), the same were verified and Material Receipt
Notes (MRN) were prepared followed by transportation of the materials to respective sites. Owing
to the mountainous terrain and climatic conditions of Arunachal Pradesh, a major hurdle was faced
on every step of materials reaching at site and subsequent installation. However, considering the
prestigious nature of the project the work was carried on war footing. About 80% of Arunachal
Pradesh is covered under forest, hence material transportation to respective site was achieved with
great difficulty. Training & list of do’s and don’ts were provided to end users so that proper functioning
of the systems may be ensured. Installation report in the prescribed format were prepared and
submitted to SECI after erection & commissioning of the systems.

J. QUALITY MONITORING MECHANISM

Quality has been monitored in every phase of the project. There was a pre-dispatch inspection of all
the materials for each of the supply lot wherein materials were inspected & tested on sampling basis
(10%) by SECI and other representatives of RECPDCL and Tata Power DDL.

Further, on-site visual inspections were conducted on receiving of the materials at central store(s).
These inspections were carried out by the field staff of SECI, RECPDCL, Tata Power DDL and
Contractor. All the incoming materials were duly verified and then Material Receipt Notes (MRN)
were generated.

During installation, quality check was of most important and was carried out by SECI, RECPDCL
and Tata Power DDL. Major installation works were carried out by Arunachal Pradesh Energy

Page | 14
Development Agency (APEDA), Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh. Regular site visits were conducted by
SECI to monitor the progress and quality of work. Installation works were checked as per Field
Quality Plan (FQP). Any quality related issues were conveyed to RECPDCL for rectification.

PART-B: OPERATIONAL AND MAINTENANCE OF SYSTEMS

A. OPERATION & MAINTENANCE PRACTICES FOR 5 YEARS’ O&M PERIOD

The maintenance of all Solar Off-Grid systems installed under the said project in Arunachal Pradesh
under DDUGJY is in the scope of RECDCL which they have subcontracted to Arunachal Pradesh
Energy Development Agency (APEDA), Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh. As per the NOA, RECPDCL
has provided an Operation and Maintenance Manual in English and Hindi with the Solar Home
System. The following minimum details were provided in the Manual:

1) Basic principles of Photovoltaics.

2) A small write-up (with a block diagram) on Solar Home Lighting System - its components, PV
module, battery, electronics and luminaire and expected performance.
3) Significance of indicators.
4) Type, Model number, voltage & capacity of the battery, used in the system.
5) The make, model number, country of origin and technical characteristics (including IESNA LM-
80 report) of W-LEDs used in the lighting system must be indicated in the manual.
6) Clear instructions about mounting of PV module(s).
7) Clear instructions on regular maintenance and troubleshooting of the Solar Home Lighting
System.
8) DO's and DONT's.
9) Name and address of the contact person for repair and maintenance.

A number of measures have been taken to ensure the maintenance of the installed systems. During
installation of the systems, beneficiaries were imparted the technical know-how of the equipment
installed along with the comprehensive Do’s and Don’ts list has been provided to every household
during the installation of the systems, so the longevity of the systems can be maintained and frequent
transport/visit regarding O&M can be avoided owing to the remote locations of the installation sites.

A toll-free number (1800 345 3171) has been made operational to register the complaints of
beneficiaries regarding the installed system. Service centers have been made operational in the
state of Arunachal Pradesh to attend the complaints of beneficiaries regarding the installed systems
as per the scope of the project. Teams are deployed by RECPDCL / APEDA to rectify the systems
as per complaints received. RECPDCL stated that APEDA has also engaged M/s Indian Power
System, Delhi for maintenance of both Solar Standalone System and Solar Street Lighting System.

Page | 15
B. CONSUMER GRIEVANCES REDRESSAL MECHANISM TO RESOLVE
CONSUMER’S COMPLAINTS RAISED/ REGISTERED ON PORTAL AND THEIR
RECTIFICATION PROCESS

A toll-free number (1800 345 3171) has been made operational to register the complaints of
beneficiaries regarding the installed system. Further, RECPDCL stated that beneficiaries may also
approach the service centers of APEDA, which are made operational in the state of Arunachal
Pradesh to attend the complaints. The list of the service centers is as follows:

Name of the Contact details

S. No. Service Centre In- Designation of the Service Address of the Service Centre
charge Centre
Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
1 Sh. Dorjee Norbu J.E. 9436256416
Centre, Tawang, Tawang
Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
2 Sh. B.D. Chowdhuri Technician 8132885252
Centre, Bomdila, West Kameng
Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
3 Sh. Julu Tayom Technician 8132092456
Centre, Seppa, East Kameng
Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
4 Sh. Tayum Dulom J.E. 8413927328
Centre, Chayangtajo, East Kameng
Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
5 Sh. B.D. Rai Technician 7085918702
Centre, Doimukh, Papum Pare
Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
6 Sh. Joram Chada Technician 7005467760
Centre, Itanagar
Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
7 Sh. Tar Ram J.E. 8259088852
Centre, Palin, Kradaddi
Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
8 Sh. Likha Todu J.E. 9774090389
Centre, Koloriang, Kurung Kumey
Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
9 Sh. Bullo Dibo Technician 8729947075
Centre, Ziro, Lower Subansiri
Sh. Nabam Kakum Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
10 J.E. 9402934959
Hina Centre, Yachuli, Lower Subansiri
Sh. Rajnikant Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
11 Technician 8256996025
Biswash Centre, Daporijo, Upper Subansiri
Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
12 Sh. R.L.Verma Technician 8415817074
Centre, Basar, West Siang
Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
13 Sh. Surendra Kumar Technician 9774251747
Centre, Aalo, West Siang
Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
14 Sh. Tageng Paming J.E. 9436683696
Centre, Yingkyong, Upper Subansiri

Page | 16
 Name of the Contact details
S. No. Service Centre In- Designation of the Service Address of the Service Centre
charge Centre
Project Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
15 Sh. Rabe Nitik 7629828258
Officer Centre, Tuting, Upper Siang
Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
16 Sh. Limi Kato J.E. 9774922809
Centre, Pangin, West Siang
Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
17 Sh. Repu Haider J.E. 9436250783
Centre, Mechuka, West Siang
Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
18 Sh. Matin Tamuk J.E. 9436695795
Centre, Pasighat, East Siang
Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
19 Ms. Jyoti Radeng J.E. 8974417940
Centre, Roing, Lower Dibang Valley
Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
20 Sh. Tobing Bapur J.E. 9774621487
Centre, Anini, Dibang Valley
Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
21 Sh. B. Bhattacharjee Technician 9862557754
Centre, Vijaynagar, Changlang
Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
22 Sh. Ngajum Tato J.E. 8131821353
Centre, Kharsang, Changlang
Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
23 Sh. Bhasker Roy Technician 8794792912
Centre, Namsai, Namsai
Project Office (APEDA) cum Service,
24 Sh. Bhasker Roy Technician 8794792912
Centre, Tezu, Lohit
Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
25 Sh. Indrashish Paul Technician 9402231055
Centre, Hayuliang, Anjaw
Project Office (APEDA) cum Service,
26 Sh. Jungsham Gahja J.E. 7005361944
Centre, Khonsa, Tirap
Project Office (APEDA) cum Service
27 Sh. Rewinso Pul J.E. 9612551048
Centre, Longding

C. WORKING/ FUNCTIONAL STATUS OF SYSTEMS INSTALLED

All the Solar Off-Grid Systems were installed under the said project were handed over to the
beneficiaries in operational condition. Further, based on the complaints received from beneficiaries,
the maintenance of the installed systems is being carried out by RECPDCL through their
subcontractor (APEDA) / service centers.

D. COMPLIANCE STATUS OF RQM DEFECTS OBSERVED

REC appointed RQM for quality inspection in the villages, where 16383 defects (major and minor
both) were observed by the same. REC after examining the inspection report requested SECI for

Page | 17
subsequent rectification. SECI through various e-mails / letters have intimated to RECPDCL for
rectification of defects reported by RQM agency. However, the compliance report from RECPDCL
is awaited.

E. CHALLENGES AND DIFFICULTIES FACED DURING O&M PERIOD

Arunachal Pradesh is mostly mountainous with Himalayan ranges along the northern borders
crisscrossed with mountain ranges running north-south. The land is almost covered 80% with forest.
Most of the villages covered under the said project are accessible by foot march including crossing
of root bridges over rivers. So, it is very difficult to reach at a particular site for maintenance in such
a terrain.
Moreover, the rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh is amongst the heaviest in the country owing to its
geographical location at the foot of the Himalayas. Incessant downpour over a short period many
times trigger landslides and floods in several districts of Arunachal Pradesh throwing normal life out
of gear. Most of the districts are severely affected from landslides. Teams hence get stranded at
several places. Due to monsoon rainfall non-perennial rivers also widen and it becomes impossible
to cross these rivers during monsoon, resulting in reach out to village becoming more distant. The
maintenance work is affected due to these geographical issues.
Further, due to COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions were imposed in the State of Arunachal Pradesh
for movement, thus travel to remote sites for maintenance of the systems was largely affected.

F. TRAINING & CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM FOR VILLAGERS

A thorough training and capacity building program was ensured during installation of Solar
Standalone System and Solar Street Lighting System for villagers at each location with proper Do’s
and Don’ts list so that the systems’ longevity and working may be ensured. Moreover, as stated by
RECPDCL necessary training has also been provided by RECPDCL to respective staff of APEDA
on various occasions by the suppliers in the presence of beneficiaries. Details of on-site training
programs is as below:
On-Site training program cum Rectification (Solar Standalone System)
S. District No. of Systems Name of the Date
No. rectified vendor
1 Upper Subansiri 85 Indian Power Nov-2019
System
2 Anjaw 15 Indian Power Nov-2019
System
Total 95
On-Site training program cum Rectification (Solar Street Lighting System)
S. District No. of System Name of the Date

Page | 18
 No. rectified vendor

1 Papum Pare 20 GEIE Oct-2019

2 West Siang 205 GEIE Oct-2019

3 East Kameng 100 GEIE Nov-2019

4 Lower Subansiri 70 GEIE Nov-2019

Total 395

G. IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY, IF ANY: NA

PART C: ARRANGEMENTS MADE POST O&M PERIOD

H. O&M PRACTICES ADOPTED TO MAKE THE SYSTEMS FUNCTIONAL BEYOND 5

YEARS PERIOD

The scope of the project is to carry out the maintenance of the installed Off-Grid systems up to 05
years’ from the date of commissioning. After 5 years, the systems shall be maintained by the
Arunachal Power Development Agency (APDA), Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh as per the tripartite
agreement dated. 01.03.2017 executed among REC, APDA and SECI.

Page | 19